Apparatus for preparing drumhead can bodies



Feb. 23, 1932. J. DlsTER 1,846,319

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING DRUMHEAD CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 2l, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /i V v I f 66 88 o' W5? a7 57---`\` 35 m4 lo? :o2 98 I 99"* y 106 1 f f 5 97` Y lol 56" ygglm '84' ,5v I H 4I 34- Ih INVEWR- a y 45 B Feb. 23, 1932. J. DISTER 1,846,319

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING DRUMHEAD CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 2l, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR V ,(f/.va B

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH DISTEB, 0F HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NI'WV JERSEY APPARATUS FOR PREYARIN G DRUMHEAD CAN BODIES .Application led .August 21, 1929. Serial No. 387,538.

present invention comprises a metallic can 10 body having a bottom or end member and a frangible drum head forming a seal for the top of the can. A supplemental cover of the friction or slip cover type is usually used in connection with thesealed drum head and V5 this forms a protection for the drum head prior to its being cut ont in the first opening ot' the can, aft-er which this supplemental cover provides a reclosure. of the present invention relates to cutting and forming a drum head and inserting it into the open end of a can body which has been previously beaded to provide a supporting shoulder for the drum head. y

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for rcutting a drum head from a strip of sheet material and inserting it into a can body.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a drum head forming and inserting mechanism arranged at a single station and operating in axial alignment with a can body.

Still another important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus that automatically receives can bodies in untimed relationship, Which segregates and times an individual can body and presents it to mechanisms which operate to cut a drum head from a strip oi sheet material and insert it Within the end of the can body.

An `important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for holding the upper edge of a can body in true form to receive a drum head which is inserted automatically Within the end of the can body so held.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accom- The apparatus panying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. y y f Referring to the drawings: i A

Figure 1 is a front elevation, (parts `being omitted and parts being shown in section)` of an apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig; Q, is a fragmentary detail in section taken substantially along the line Q-Qin Fig. 3. r

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 343 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail taken throughthe drum `head cutting, forming and inserting mechanisms illustrating these mechanisms in initial operating position and the can in raised drum head receiving position, the section being taken parallel to the front ot the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the parts in a different position, the drum head having been cut and formed. i

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the drum head fully inserted` into the can body.

In the machine disclosed in the drawings, the operation of drum head cutting, forming and inserting is shown in connection With a cylindrical open-ended can body 1l (Figs. l and 2) provided with a supporting shoulder 12 formed near one end and having a flange 13 at its opposite end. When this type of can bodyis provided with a drum head, the upper or shouldered end of the can will be used as a bottom until after the can has 'l been filled. A can end constituting the true bottom of the can Will then be double seamed or otherwise secured to theflange 13. This type of can is here used for illustrative purposes only, the invention applying equally Well to other types of can bodies, as for eX- ample, a can body. 11 provided with a previously attached bottom end.

The apparatus `of the present invention comprises a horizontal table on which the shouldered can bodies 11 are brought into the machine by a chain conveyor which moves the cans adjacent a retarding and separating device. This latter device segregates a single can from the untimed mass of cans being demovement relative to the table.

livered into the machine. A. timing device then transfers a segregated can from the retarding and separating device and places it into the pocket of a turret constituting, in the present instance, a can body carrier. This carrier moves the cans over the 4surface of the table and brings Veach can into fa rest position at an assembling station. y

A web or strip of sheet material is fed through-theassembling-station-by feeding devices. At certain timed periods, mechanism arranged at this station cut-s a disc or drum head from the strip, this mechanism being mounted upon a crcsshead havin vertical After severance, the disc or drum head is moved downwardly and is preferably cupped or formed at its edges. f While 'so held, mechanism -nfiountedupon the descending-crossheadnext operates to insert-the formed disc `or drum head 'within the top of the Lcan.

Simultaneously with this drum head cut- 'ti-ng andforming, the can body is lifted and Iits rupper Aend ,placed wit-hin a rounding-up pocket. The can body, with its inserted drum head is 'then `'moved rby 4the can body carrier from ftheassembl-ing station and-discharged out of the apparatus. Suitable operations .fmayysubsequently beV performed upon the tupper'end 'of the can body such as curling of the upper edge or clinching the same to securely Ihold-the edges of the inserted drum "head, but `this forms no part of the present invention and may be embodied 'in any suitlable mechanism providing the proper con- :nec-tion between :drum head and can body.

The can bodies 11 `in their passage through the machine areinoved-'ove'r a horizontal table I15 (Figs. 1 and 3) which is bolted to a 'frame 16. Table 15 is formed with ain entra-nce'extension table 17 on which is vmounted vspaced fguide rails 18 and 19. Incoming can bodies llare moved over table 17 and between f-guide rails 18 and 19 by "a chain conveyor .21 operating 4in the 4usual and preferred 'manner, the upper run of the chain passing along a slot `22^forrned in the table 17.

The can bodies 11 rest 'lightly'on the con- Vveyor 21 andengage a retarding and separating deviceeomp'rising a spiral thread 23 (Fig. .3) formed. on a sleeve 21 and rotating with a horizontal shaft 25 journaled in bearings 26 'mountedon thetable'17i. As the foremost can body 11 is brought along the' side of the sleeve 21, -it first engages the small end of the spira-l thread 23 and `beingcontinually urged forward fbfy the Conveyor 21 continues to crowd against the thread sleeve 2li rotates. This contacting tangent point between can bedy and thread moves forward at a slower speed than any given point on the conveyor 21 and 'this action results in retardingcthe forward movement of 'the can body, the conveyor chai-n 21 during such movement slipping therebene'ath. The pitch and diameter lcan body carrier.

of the thread 23 is such as to cut out or separate an advancing can body 11 from the can bodies following when the former is released from the thread and again advanced by the conveyor as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The segregated can body 11, after passing beyond the large end ofthe spiral thread 23 is moved forward at a greater rate of travel by the conveyor chain 21 and is brought in Afront ofan'arm 27 of a timingdevice comprising a starwheelV 28 mounted upon a vertical shaft 29. Shaft 29and` starwheel 28 are constantly rotating in proper synchronism with the rotating thread 23, sleeve 21 and conveyor chain 21, one of the arms 27 engaging the advancingcan body and positioning it within The can body carrier comprises a horizontal 4turret31 mounted on a vertical shaft 32 and provided with spaced can body receiving pockets 33. Shaft; 32fand turret 31 are moved intermittently in -synchronism with the rotating starwheel-281and a Vcan body y11 advanced by the starw-heel is positionedfwithin one of thepockets 33, the turret 31 being` ment oflthe turret 31. the can body is ad'-` vancedinan arcuate path of travel being confined Within itsturretpocket 33 by a circular guide rail 34inounted on table-15. Guider-ail 3/lisan extension of the guide rail 18 and ins'ures,V the-,proper line of travel lfor the Ican body. This 'ar-cuate, intermittent movement of the canvbody carrier continues the can body moving from-fastationA (Fig. v3) through an idle station B and then comingt-o rest at an assembling station C. It is at the assembling station Where a drum head' is out, formed and received within the can body while sopositioned.

VCan body 11, coming into station C moves on to the upper surface ofa can lift plunger y36 (Figs. 1 .and seated Within the table 15 and secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft'37. This plunger constitutes a movable support for the can body which is independent of thecarrier 31. The upper surface of 'plunger 36 at such time is flush with the up- 'per surface ofthe table 15 'and as the can bodyY 11 moves thereover its lower flange 13 at one side moves under a shoulder 38 'formed in the plunger 36 and at the opposite side unl der a shoulder 39` formed in a block 41 having'horizontal sliding movement within a pocket 42 formed inthe plunger 36. A spring 13 interposed between a part of therplunger 36 and the block 41 urges theshoulder 39 l This Construction andrelationof parts firmly clamps the can body in position upon the upper surface of the plunger holding it against both lateral and vertical displacement.`

A web, or strip 51 (Figs. 1 and 3) of sheet material, is moved through the assembling station C and over can body 11 positioned on the plunger 36. Veb 51 is moved through a slot formed in the uppersurface of a bracket 52 carried by the table15. A retaining plate 53 fastened to the bracket 52 prevents displacement of the strip 51 during feeding movement and after passing through the slot it passes into and through slots 54 (Figs. 1, i, 5 and 6) formed in a bracket 55 bolted on the face of an extension frame 56 projected upwardly from the frame 16. Bracket carries two plates 57 and 58 and strip 51 passes' over the upper surfaces thereof and beneath a retaining plate 59 carried by bracket 55. rlhis construction provides a space 60 between the plates 57, 58 and the plate 59 through which web 51 moves in its passage through the assembling station C.

A strip feeding device is provided for moving web 51 which embodies an upper roller 61 and a lower roller 62 (Figs. 1 and 3). Roller 61 is fixed on a horizontal shaft 63 and is carried in bearing blocks 6ft sliding within slots 65 formed in spaced brackets 66 connected i' with the bracket 52 and carried by the table 15. Blocks 64 are held within their slots 75 by a retainingplate 67 secured to the brackets 66. Horizontal guide rods 68 and 69, the lattcr carrying spaced discs 71, are carried by brackets 66 and these keep web 51 in proper alignment for the feed rollers.

Roller 62 is lined on a horizontal shaft 75 rotatably mounted in bearings 76 formed in brackets 66. Shaft 63 may be extended and suitably rotated in the usual and preferred manner and gears 77 and 78 carried respectively by shafts 63 and 75 insure uniform rotation of the feeding rollers 61 and 62.

Strip 51 while in slot 60 at station() is engaged by cuttingl mechanism which severs a drum head or disc therefrom. For this purpose, plate 5S is provided with a central opening 81 (Fig. 4) and the walls surrounding this opening constitute a die cutedge 82 which cooperates with other disc cutting mechanism. This latter mechanism is confined within a. punch block 83 (Figs. 1 and 4) which is provided witha stem 8a by which it is clamped to the lower end of a crosshead 85 by clamp block 80. Crosshead 85 is provid-ed with the usual type of extensions 86 operating in vertical guide ways formed in side plates 87 bolted to the face of the frame part 56. Crosshead 85 is pivotally connected at 88 to a pitman 89` of the usual and preferred press construction. Pitman 89 and crosshead 85 are suitably operated, as for example, by connection with a standard form of press crankshaft.

Punch block 83 is reduced in diameter at its lower end forming a punch cutting` member 93. Punch member 93'upon moving downwardly with block 83 passes through an opening 94 extending through the plate 59 and engaging the strip 51, presses it against cutedge 82. Continuing its movement the punchY passes through the strip 51 severing a disc therefrom.

During this cutting action a punch center 95, positioned `within a chamber 96 inside of w the member 93, forms a backing for the stri 51 and `the disc l 90 cut there-from. Punc i center is secured tothe lower end of a stem 97 extending vertically through a central bore in block 83 and when the punch center 95 is thus acting as a backing member, itis in the upper end of the chamber 96.

The disc 90 just severed from the strip 51 is carried downwardly with the descending punch block 83 and parts carried thereby and as the punch block approaches the end of its stroke punch center 95 is moved outwardly and in advance ofthe moving member 93. This is accomplished by mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 which comprises the foll0wing parts. Stem 97 at its upper end is threaded and locknuts 98 are adj ustably secured thereto confining on the upper part of the stem a coil spring 99, the lower end of the spring resting` within a counter bore 101 ff' formed in the upper end of stem 811. Spring 99 normally holds stem 97 in raised position, this in turn, holding punch center 95 at the upper end of the chamber 96, the top surface of the punch center in such a `position l engaging the top wall of the chamber.

A knockout lever 102 is carried by the crosshead 85 being pivoted on `a rod 103 held by a bracket `104 bolted to the side of the crosshead. rests against the upper end of the stem 97 being 'held in position by gravity. An outer arm 106 of the lever 102 is in alignment with the upper end of an adjustable bolt 107 threadedly secured in boss 108 carried by the side plate 87. As crosshead 85 approaches the end of its downward stroke, arm 106 of lever 102 strikes against the bolt 107 and is arrested in its downward movement as the crosshead and lever pivot 103 continue their movement.

This action rocks lever 102 on its pivot 103 and its arm -depresses the stem 97. Punch center 95 (Fig. 5) is thus advanced ahead of member 93, the former pressing against the "e An inner arm 105 of the lever flange 113 converting the flat discr into a fia-ngedcup shaped disc.

While the disc cutting and forming actions just described are taking place, can 11 is being raised into disc receiving position. This is accomplished by the lifting of the plunger 36 by actuation ofl its stem 37 (Figs. 1 and 2) in a usual and preferred manner so as to move the can body end-wise relative to the discforniing means. The upper end oli the can body 11 is thereby moved into al roundingup openings 115 (Figs. 5 and 6) former centrally of the plate 1-12 andV in axial alignment .with the pun-ch center 95. Seating of the can' body 11 within the opening 115 rounds up or irons out any irregularities which may exist in the upper edge of the body and while so held this edge is of smooth and regular form.

Opening 115 is surrounded by a shouldered wall 116 which forms astop for the upper end of the can body as it is brought fully into raised position. Opening 111 is of less diameter than the opening 115 by an amount equal to the vdifference between the inside and outside diameters of the can body 11 at its upper end and the inner wall of the fully seated can body is thus flush with the wall surrounding the opening 111.

By the time that punch lcenter 95 and punch member 913 have completed the forming operationV onv the disc 90, can body 11 is fully seated within its rounding up opening 115, this position being illustrated in Fig. 5. Continued downward movement of the punch parts, (the punch center 95 moving at a greater rate than 'the punch member 93),

forces' the .disc 90 into the upper end of the positioned can body 11 and deposits it on the lshoulder 12, as illustrated in Fig. 6. At this time, the punch parts have reached the limit of their downward movement andthe assembling operation is thus completed.

Slide and punch block 83 then begin their upward movement, l punch center movin-g back at greater speed into its chamber 96, the member 93 withdrawing from the plate 5'8. Disc 90 is prevented from moving upwardly with 4the punch center 95'by a vknockout pin 118 slidably positioned within a` central opening 119 formed in thefcente-r b'loclr` 95. Pin 118 is provided with a head 121tl1atis engaged by the llowerend cfa-:coil spring 122 positioned within a vertical bore 123 formed inthe central pai-rt of the punch center 95. As punch center 95 moves upwardly, :pin 118 is pushed outwardly by its spring 122 and disc 90 is thus `stripped or 'knocked off from fthe punch center.

During the relative movements between punch :center 495 and member 9.3 `as the parts move up and down, air is permitted to flow freely into and out of the chamber 96. Vent channels 124 formedin the `punch center 95 commiunicate with .an annular opening 125 inmember 93andz with annular grooves 126 and: 127 formed respectively Vin members 83 and 95. `Other vent channels 128 are formed inthe punch blockk 83, lwhich communicate ,with the grooves 126 and 127 and connect with channels 129 leading-to the atmosphere. These vented passages prevent rarefaction or compressing ofv air within the chambers and prevent stickingof the disc 90 to thepunch center. Y With the upward movement of crosshead 85 .and its punch parts downward movement of plunger 36 takes place and by reason of the shoulders 38 and 39 associated with the plunger36 can body llwithits inserteddrum .head'90 is moved downwardly and away from the plate 112. Asplunger 36 reaches its normal lowered position, can bodyv 11 is again brought in the plane of the upper surface of the table 15. Y

Upon the next step rotation of the turret 31 which follows, can body 11 is moved over the table and brought into the discharge chute to a position marked D in Fig. 3. Here the can body 11 is confined between guide rails 131 and 132 and as subsequent .drumheaded can bodies 11 are moved over the table and brought into` the discharge chute, :they push against the can bodies aliready there and gradually move the same along the chute and out of the machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will understood from lthe foregoing description, and it will be vapparent that various changesmay be made in the form, construction. and .wrrangement VVof the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invent-ion or sacrificing all yof its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof. Y

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for preparing ldrum head can bodies, the combination of feeding devices for feeding a strip of sheet material, instrumentalities for cutting a drum head from saidvstrip, a movable can body carrier, and means for inserting said drumv head into 'a'can body brought into inserting position by said carrier, and means for moving the can Abody endwise relative tosaid insertingmeans.

2. In an yapparatusfor preparing drum head can bodies, the combinationl of feeding devices for feeding astrip `ofsheet material,

instr-umentalities for cutting a drum head 'l from said strip, forming members for shaping said drum head, a movable can body carrier, a movable support for the can body independent of the'vcarrier, and means `for inserting said formed 4drum -head into a can body brought into inserting'` position by said carrier. Y

3. In an apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies, the combination of a movable can body carrier adapted to position a can body at an assembling station, feeding devices for feeding a strip of sheet material through said station, instrumentalities at said station for cutting a drum head from said 5 strip, and means for inserting said drum head into a can body positoned at said assembling station, and means for moving the can body endwise relative to said inserting means. i 4. In an apparatus for preparing drum 10 head can bodies, the combination of a movable can body carrier adapted to position a can body at an assembling station, a movable support for the can body independent of the carrier feeding devices for feeding a strip of sheet material through said station, instrumentalities at said station for cutting a drum head from said strip, aligning members 1oacted at said station for holding said can body in drum head receiving position, and means for inserting said drum head into the can body so held. l

5. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies comprising in combination, a movable can body carrier, a can body conveyor, a timing device for feeding can bodies from said conveyor to said carrier, instrumentalities for cutting a drum head from a strip of sheet material, and means for inserting the drum head so cut into a can body in said carrier.

6. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies com rising in combination, a can body conveyor or receiving can bodies in untimed relation, retarding and separating members for segregating an individual can body, a movable can body carrier, a timing device for transferring said segregated can body in timed relation to said carrier, instrul mentalities for cutting a drum head from a strip of sheet material, and means for inserting the drum head so cut into a can bod)1 in said carrier.

7. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies comprising in combination, a can body conveyor for receiving can bodies in untimed relation, retarding and separating members for segregating an individual can body, a movable can body carrier, a timing device for transferring said segregated can body in timed relation to said carrier, feeding devices for feeding a strip of sheet material, instrumentalities for cutting a drum head from said strip, and means for inserting the drum head so cut into a can body in said carrier.

8. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies comprising in combination, a rotatable turret provided with can body receiving pockets, a can body conveyor, a timing device for transferring a can body from said conveyor into a pocket of said turret, instrumentalities for cutting a drum head from a strip of sheet material, and means for inserting the drum head so out into a can body While positioned in said turret.

While positioned in said turret.`

10. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies comprising 1n combination, a feed table provided with an operating station, a canbody carrier for conveying can bodies over said table to the operating station, a crosshead located at said station and having vertical movement relative to said table, a strip support located adjacent said station, feeding devices for moving a strip of sheet material over said support and past said station, instrumentalities associated With said crosshead and said support for cutting a drum head from said strip, and means for inserting said drum head into a can body positioned at said station on downward movement of said crosshead.

11. An apparatus for preparing drum head can bodies comprising in combination, a feed table provided With an operating station, a can body carrier for conveying can bodies over said table to the operating station, a crosshead located at said station and having vertical movement relative to said table, a strip support located adjacent said station, a can body truing pocket mounted on said support, feeding devices for moving a strip of sheet material over said support and past said station, instrumentalitiesassociated with said crosshead and said support for cutting a drum head from said strip, positioning devices for moving the upper end of a can body at said station into said truing pocket, and means for inserting said drum head into said can body on downward movement of said crosshead.

JOSEPH DISTER. 

